Joanne Yvonne Bardini

Joanne was born March 6th, 1930 to Gladys and Vivian Maltby in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. She moved with her family to Snelling, California in 1943. Joanne met her husband Albert Bardini in 1946 at the Hopeton Festas and they married on June 25th, 1950 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Merced. They have continued to live in Merced since that time and were very active in the community.

Joanne is survived by her husband of 67 years Albert Bardini, sons Richard (Nancy) Bardini, Randy (Agnes) Bardini, Gary (Laura) Bardini, and Gregory (Danielle) Bardini, as well as 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Joanne is also survived by siblings, Carol (Gene) Johnson, Patrick (Bonnie) McKim and Dennis (Sally) McKim and brother-in-law Ed Ivy.

She was preceded in death by her sister Jan (Ed) Ivy.

Joanne devoted her life to her family and to her community, leaving a subtle yet vital impact.

She was a dedicated homemaker and a proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother. This was most evident as she supported her husband in local politics, and raised four ambitious and successful sons, who all became engineers.

Additionally, Joanne was a devoted and loving daughter who cherished her time with her mother, Gladys. She was also a protective and dear older sister to her delightful siblings.

As an active community member, Joanne was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, where she was a past president and lifetime member. Additionally, she and Albert enjoyed spending time at the Italo-American Lodge and considered it to be their second home.

She was a gracious hostess who loved playing golf, taking names on the bridge table, and staying connected in the community.

Later in life, Joanne and Albert enjoyed traveling internationally and stateside, socializing with friends, and watching their family grow as their grandchildren began college, their careers, and families of their own.

Joanne was best known amongst her family for her sassy quick wit, for being the “life of the party” and for her boundless love.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 28th, 2018, 2 pm-7 pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home 1490 B St, Merced, CA 95340.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Monday, January 29th, 2018, 9:30 am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 671 E Yosemite Ave, Merced, CA 95340.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, January 29th, 2018, 10 am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church followed by Interment at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

A reception will be held immediately following at Italo-American Lodge 18th and “U” Streets, Merced.

Contributions can be made to the Merced County Historical Society Museum.